Proposals sought for Virginia Fishery Resource Grants

The Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program is now accepting
applications for funding as part of the Virginia Fishery Resource Grant
Program (VFRGP). All grant applications must be postmarked no later
than January 15, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

Those interested in learning more about the grant and how to put
together an application are invited to attend one of two workshops. The
first workshop will be held Tuesday, December 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. in the Director's Conference Room at Virginia Institute of Marine
Science at Gloucester Point, Va. The second workshop will be held
Thursday, December 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Library at the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science's Eastern Shore Laboratory at
Wachapreague, Va.

The Fishery Resource Grant Program was created by the Virginia
Legislature to "protect and enhance the Commonwealth's coastal fishery
resource through the awarding of grants."

Basic to the program is the belief that people in the commercial
fishing industry often have valid ideas to enhance and protect
fisheries, but may lack the financial resources to experiment with
innovations. The Fishery Resource Grant Program invests in such ideas
generated by the fishing public through fair and competitive methods.

Funding may be used to develop

new fisheries equipment and gear,

environmental pilot studies,

aquaculture/mariculture, and

seafood technology and utilization.

The Request for Proposal and application materials are available on the web at http://www.vims.edu/adv/frg.
Individuals without web access can contact Dianne Roberts at
804-684-7173. No registration is necessary to attend either workshop.